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Gay Winnipeg

Gay Winnipeg

Emergency measures in the wake of Covid-19:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada is barring entry to all travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or Americans. As of March 18, international flights will be permitted to land only at international airports in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, in order to enhance screening.

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Located at the geographic center of North America, at the edge of the prairie, Winnipeg has a population of only about 700,000 people, but it's home to 60% of all Manitoba residents. Vast lands with few roads stretch north from here to Hudson Bay. The first fort on the site was built by French traders in 1738, settlers arrived in 1812, and the city grew rapidly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, astride important railway connections to other parts of Canada, and to the USA.

Other local institutions "in the ’Peg" include the Manitoba Museum, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Each February theFestival du Voyageur honors pioneers of the fur trading era. In July/August the annual Folklorama celebrates the exotic cuisines, varied cultures and heritages of peoples who settled the city from dozens of countries around the world, in 40 to 45 pavilions. Filipinos make up one of the largest minority communities, constituting around 6% of the population. About 8% of Winnipeg residents are Aboriginal peoples, and 11% speak French -- most in addition to English.

To beat summertime heat, people head for beaches along Lake Winnipeg, about 55km (34 miles) north. This is the largest lake in southern Canada, surrounded by pristine boreal forests and rivers. Beaconia Beach is a clothing-optional stretch of sand that's popular with gay men.

Not the biggest gay scene in Canada, Winnipeg has only a handful of dedicated gay hangouts, but deep friendships and community ties more than make up for that. All kinds of folk, of all ages, and genders hang together more tightly, and mix more easily here than in most big cities. Pride festivities early each June, that began with so few in 1987, have now grown to include 30,000 or so participants; rites still meaningful, and celebrated with gusto by LGBT people, their friends, neighbors, and those of other queer/alternative communities.

Getting here

The Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is just to the west. City bus routes 15 and 20 cover flight schedules all day, to and from downtown and beyond, usually with about ten minutes between departures. Taxis are available just outside Exit 3 of the terminal building.

As a major rail hub Winnipeg is served by five companies connecting to most everywhere tracks go in North America. The US border at Emerson, Manitoba is 107 km (66 miles) to the south. Grand Forks, where North Dakota meets Minnesota, is the closest major US town from here, south down Interstate 29.

Rider Express runs intercity buses between Calgary and Winnipeg, with connections to Vancouver, Regina, Saskatoon and other western towns.

Getting around

Winnipeg Transit bus service can get you to and from the airport, and around the city.

Should you want to see polar bears and the northern lights, a side trip on the Winnipeg to Churchill passenger train (Via Rail) departs Union Station, Winnipeg twice a week -- a journey of 1,700 km (1,100 miles), taking about 40 hours to reach the north Manitoba shores of Hudson Bay.

The city does not have a bike share program yet, but for information about local cycling options including rentals, see Bike Winnipeg.

Media & resources

GayWinnipeg is an online resource with gay business and events listings. Outwards Magazine, the area's gay publication since 1994, ceased publication.

For general arts and entertainment listings, as well as local news, see the Winnepeg Free Press